Bouncer Town

Last night we took Jackson to Bouncer Town to kick off his Birthday Week.

It was a hit!

Jackson is a little more brave than I would like - I spent half the night with my eyes closed as he climbed the highest Bounce House (See video below - I had to quit filming when Jackson changed his mind at the top of the slide - Yikes!).

Jackson had a great time bouncing and playing in the arcade. Justin and I had a great time watching the smile on his face. We talked a lot about how we can't believe he is two. He is just growing to fast!

Enjoy some pictures from our fun night!

First time down the BIG SLIDE!

Check out his face - a little scared!

We need to work on his bowling - sometimes he throws OVER HANDED!

ENJOY THE VIDEO!

Let the celebration begin!

This week is Jackson's "Birthday Week."

Justin and I can't wait to spend the week doing special things with Jackson to celebrate his two wonderful years!

Stay tuned to hear all about his fun week!

P.S. Has it really been two years!?!

No more crib - No more baby!

It has started.

I'm talking about Jackson's transition from Baby - to official "Big Boy" status.

Since Jackson was super proud of himself for climbing out of his crib - (he talked about it for two dayS.) I asked Grandpa John to come over help us transition Jackson's crib to a toddler bed. It melted my heart a little to know that we wouldn't have a full-crib in his room any longer. Just another sign that my "Baby" isn't a baby so much.

Last night was Jackson's first night in this toddler bed. He quickly learned he could get out. We were up a lot. But this morning Jackson told his teachers all about his big boy bed. He seems to be very proud - while I wipe away a tear or two! :)

I think we might have a battle on our hands as far as getting him to STAY in bed. But like all of the rest of this parenthood stuff ... we'll take it one day at a time.

But for now - no more crib....SNIFF, SNIFF! :(

Next on the agenda - take away the pacifier. But I'm waiting until after vacation. I'm certain the folks on our plane will appreciate that!

P.S. A big thanks to Grandpa John (AKA - "POP") for helping us out on this one! :)

I'm not ready for this...

What happened to the days that I could lay Jackson in his crib and he wouldn't even role over until morning? Those days are gone...

Jackson has been having some trouble sleeping through the night. In fact, he calls for us within an hour of laying down in his crib. Last night, we decided to let him "cry it out." We had to do this when he was about six months old and it took a few nights, but then he was sleeping through night. However, this time - Jackson would have no part of it. After about 15 minutes of screaming (not crying) for Mommy and Daddy - he got quiet. Justin and I thought we had done it. We showed him who was boss!...but all of the sudden I heard the pitter-patter of Jackson's feet heading to our room. Justin and I sat straight up in time to see our door open and our little boy walk in. That's right - he climbed out of his crib!

My little monkey!

Needless to say he never returned to his bed.

I'm not ready for this...and I'm off to read my "Mom" books to form our "game plan" to get Jackson back to his bed.

Perhaps its time for a "big boy" bed .... but then it will be so much easier to climb out! Ahhhhh.....

Still Counting Down...

We are still counting down the days until vacation...

We've been busy shopping for beach wear, beach toys, and anything else we might need while soaking up the sun!

In fact, Justin and Jackson have scored some new sunglasses for the trip...check out the photos below.

Jackson thinks he needs to wear his 24/7! But this is the same kid that doesn't understand why he doesn't have to wear a hat and gloves when it 75 degrees outside...he's a bit confused! :)

Happy Birthday, Sara!

We wanted to wish a very Happy Birthday to our great friend Sara McCord.

Today Sara is celebrating her 29th birthday! Can't wait to celebrate the big 30 next year!

Thanks for being such a great friend Sara! We hope you enjoy a great

weekend with Adam and Maddy!

Tax Day - Thinking of Dad

With Mom and Dad at Walt Disney World in 2002

Today is Tax Day, I thought of my Dad first thing this morning. It can't be April 15 without me remembering the celebration that we had at our house each year when growing up. We would all be relieved that we would get our Dad back at the dinner table each night and he would be home on the weekends again. All things I would give anything for today.

Many people told me that I will never forget my Dad. Others have confessed that not a day goes by that they don't think of the parent they have lost. At the time - I figured it was just a figure of speech. I've come to learn they were telling the truth. There really isn't a day that I don't think of my Dad. Most days I catch myself wanting to call him, or hear his opinion on something....and most of all I long to hear what he thinks of Jackson. Though I know hands down he would adore him - and Jackson would idolize him in return. Most days I just dream of what that relationship would be like. But one thing is for sure - I think of my Dad every day!

This week, Michelle and I were at the gym taking a cycling class. We claimed two bikes in the back against the wall. While chatting after the class Michelle noticed a frame on the wall. The frame held a poem that was a favorite of my father's. He would recite parts of it to us when we were faced with a challenge. In fact, this poem was framed on my desk during my college years. Dad still appears in my life today - even when I least expect it. Trust me, my cycling class is the LAST place I thought my Dad would peek in my thoughts. My Dad thought exercise bikes were for hanging clothes when the closet was full! :) But to our surprise - there was the poem and our talk turned to Dad.

I miss him.

But those three words seem so small when compared to the hole he left in my heart.

Here is the Poem that I mentioned above:

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

Dreaming of Shooting Hoops!

FIVE ADULTS - AND FOUR KIDS!?!

Justin, Jackson and I recently met up with some friends for dinner at Benihana. Benihana has always been a favorite for this group of friends. However, we are usually a small group of 6 or 8. Not this time! This time we were FIVE adults - and FOUR children. Benihana didn't know what hit them!

Jackson enjoyed seeing his friends - while the adults tried to remember what we used to talk about when it was just us at the table! :)

Enjoy some photos from our evening!

Jackson and Addison Charles loving the Benihana experience! A big thanks to Addi for keeping Jackson entertained.

Jackson also insisted on "helping" Kristin carry Baby Kooper

into the resturaunt! It was too cute!

The Noah's came back to our place after dinner and Jackson got to spend some extra time with Baby Brennan. This little baby has the most define features I have ever seen. Jackson was sporting Chubby cheeks when he was Brennan's age...not this little man! How cute is he!?!

Jackson loved spending time with Brennan.

They were "fist bumping" like old pals by the end of the night!

Easter 2010

Our Easter in Photos...

Jackson's Easter Basket from the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny left Jackson a Harmonica!

The Easter Bunny hid Jackson's eggs.  Some were easy to find - and others not so much!  :)

Found One!

Cheerios for Easter Breakfast!

Easter Basket from Mamaw and Pop

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Mama Evy's!

Olivia

Hayden

This year the Easter Bunny hid eggs all over the farm!

Griffin

Madeline

Found another one!

...and he just realized his eggs had mini-Oreo's in them!  Yum!

Taking a break from the egg-hunt to snack on his Oreos!  :)

My new favorite photo!

Cousins!

Love them so much!

Mama Charsh gave Jackson a hat for the beach!

Aunt Deb and Uncle Greg also gave Jackson a hat - this one is just like Justin's!

It isn't Easter without Mamaw Charsh's Bunny Cake!

T'was the Night before Easter....

...and we colored Eggs!

It just isn't Easter if you don't color eggs.  I can remember doing just that with my parents and sisters each Easter.  Jackson was a little too young to do it last year - so I was super excited that he would be interested this year.

Of course, my independent little guy insisted he try to do it on his own.  I waited patiently until he realized that he would need my help with part of the fun.  Check out the video below to hear about Jackson's visit with the Easter Bunny at achool.  

...And while the camera was rolling - Jackson decided to show off a little.  He's been working on some pick-up lines.  I think he's taking tips from his Daddy!  Oh dear!

The Easter Bunny Stopped Here!

Happy Easter!

This morning, when Jackson woke up, we told him the Easter Bunny had been here and had filled his basket with goodies.  From there - it was ready, set, go....an all-day Easter celebration!

After celebrating Easter morning with Jackson, we headed to Anderson to visit with Justin's family ...and then to my Grandma's to celebrate with our annual Easter Egg Hunt.

So needless to say - this Easter Bunny is tired!

Stay tuned for our official Easter post including video and pictures!

Easter EGGstravaganza 2010

Today was the Easter EGGstravaganza at Jackson's pre-school.

Parents were invited to come help their child decorate an egg at the end of the day.  The school also had cookies and lemonade for snacks.  Needless to say, the cookie was Jackson's favorite part.

However, he did also enjoy the egg decorating.

He chose the color (yellow), the cotton ball, the feather, and the eyes. He even picked where everything was glued (note the lopsided eyes) I did the assembly while he snacked. 

We had a great time!

Jackson was certainly proud of his egg and couldn't wait to show his Daddy.  When I carried it in from the car, Jackson shouted, "Daddy - Egg, Daddy - Egg!"

I made sure to capture some photos of the finished product!

SO PROUD!

Ummmm...don't eat it!

Jackson was OVER the photo-shoot!  :)